Hawaii going green on a global scale

Investors, island businesses meet at expo

The Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo is underway at the Hawaii Convention Center. It is an international effort to expand Hawaii's renewable energy production while boosting the bottom line of local businesses.

Hawaii leaders have made a big push in recent years to get away from oil and the greener efforts are bringing more businesses to the islands.

"We came to Hawaii for your location obviously, and there is good interest in using electric vehicles that are coming on-line right now," said Marc Voorhoeve, with EVcollective.com.

Some of those electric vehicles are powered by solar, just one type of energy production found in the islands. There is also wind, geothermal and even ocean thermal production.

People around the world are starting to notice of Hawaii's wide choice of energy options.

"Hawaii is a great test bed for many of the alternative and renewable approaches that China, Japan and Asia are concerned about," said Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie.

In fact, Monday morning the governor signed an agreement with China, so Asian businesses could invest in clean energy companies in Hawaii.

Not only is there a demand for greener and cleaner technology for Hawaii, but also innovation from Hawaii businesses.

Some of the hundreds at the clean energy summit, are learning about Hawaii's latest hi-tech products or new power-generating ideas. All participants are also able to network, so they can find the much-needed match between investors and island businesses.

"You can get together with these firms and find out which projects they are seeking and what kind of investment they'd like to make in Hawaii. So for the small business, it helps them team up with large companies," said Mark Glick with the State Depart. Of Business and Economic Development and Tourism.

Some feel, all the additional money for clean-energy companies will keep Hawaii's green movement going.

From the web

A bill to rezone agricultural land in West Oahu faced the people who live in that community Monday night. After passing a first reading last week, a city council committee brought Bill 3 out for a public hearing.